Chapter 70 - Library Encounter (1/2)
With the next Quidditch match coming up that weekend the school was once more inflamed with a fiery passion as Rowan solemnly contemplated on how to get out from attending the match. After a long debate, she reluctantly concluded that no professor would allow her to remain inside during the Quidditch matches. And better yet, if Wilkes and the cultists heard of her attempts, there was no telling what they would do.
Though Wilkes had been a bit strange ever since his return from Christmas Break. He was a tad more serious at times, he must surely be growing up. That or his parents gave him a stern talking too.
With a sigh, Rowan glances up to see Terry and Severus, both carefully copying down different ways of treating werewolf bites. Seeing Rowan no longer daydreaming, Severus snaps, ”Now that you're back, help us!”
”Ah, well, I believe that the best learning approach is to learn by failure,” Rowan shamelessly retorted.
Severus narrows his eyes at his twin sister and growled, ”HELP US NOW!”
”Fine,” Rowan rather sullen grumbled. ”No need to be so dramatic.” Leaning over their textbooks Rowan points out a few cures they had missed. Seeing that they are almost finished, Rowan says, ”Well, it looks like the two of you are nearly finished, so I'll be going now.”
”Class isn't over yet,” Severus snapped.
Rowan holds up three fingers and starts counting down as right on time, Professor Strives clears his throat and says, ”Please turn in your assignments during the next class period. And you are all dismissed.”
Smirking at Severus, Rowan cheerfully walks out as Terry can be heard sarcastically remarking, ”Well, she got you there.” To which Severus snorted in annoyance as he gathered up his things.
With a spring in her step, Rowan enters the library as per usual and sits down to take notes. At the rate she was progressing, she should be finished come spring. Which still meant she had a long way to go, but it would be well worth the price if she could gain insight into exactly what was going on during that time frame. And if she was truly lucky, she might just find a valuable clue or two. But so far, her labor had yet to yield any real fruits.
Not long after the sound of footsteps can be heard as the usual figures of James, Sirius, Lupin, and Pettigrew appear and take their regular seats at their prospective seats. Seeing Rowan working so intently caused Sirius to feel rather peeved. ”Tch, don't you ever get bored, Rowan?”
”No,” Rowan mumbled as she kept her eyes glued to the article before her, ignoring Pettigrew tossing small wads of paper at her.
”Bookworm,” Sirius huffed, before leaning over his open book to try to finish reading the page.
Glancing over at Rowan, James casually says, ”By the way, Rowan, how long have the two of you known Lily?”
Rowan's hand ceased to write as her heart dully sank in her chest. ”A few years now, why?” Rowan nonchalantly replied as her quill began to move again.
”Well, it's just-,” James paused causing Rowan to glance up to only see the figure of Lily emerging from between the bookshelves.
Smiling Lily softly whispers, ”So, this is where the four of you sneak off into the evenings. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my very own eyes.” Pityingly glancing over at Rowan, Lily said, ”They're not bothering you are they, Rowan?”
”Mm depends on what day it is,” Rowan truthfully answered, before glancing back done to her notes.
Pettigrew quickly jumps up and says, ”Please join us!”
Lily waves her hand and says, ”No, no, I'm here with Mary and Willa. But I just wanted to take a closer look as I overheard Madam Pince make the comment to Filch that the four of you were in the library.”
”Oh,” Pettigrew said as he deflated and took his seat in disappointment.
”Anywho, what are all of you studying?” Lily asked with bright emerald eyes.